Juanita Gonzalez was being held in local jail after her arrest Tuesday in connection with the 1991 death of Anna Gonzalez. Police said in a statement Wednesday that the girl's death — first believed to have been an accidental drowning — was ruled a homicide. Her stepmother was considered a suspect, but never arrested.

Police say they re-opened the case earlier this year when a relative asked about it. They say they then found evidence to suggest Juanita Gonzalez was abusing her stepdaughter before the death.

Gonzalez did not have an attorney listed. A spokesman for prosecutors did not return an email message about the case.